Testimony Tuesday - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

For a while I've thought about writing about my testimony. I never figured how it would fit. But God has shown me this may be the time. Forgive any Susan-ness, as I'm typing this late at night.

My multiracial background was once a bane of my existence. The question of "what are you? " usually was met by with a sarcastic remark of "human, yourself? ". Needless to say this was not met with a positive response.

What God had shown me is this quirk was a great gift to me. My multiracial background gave me a racial ambiguity that allowed me to cross barriers that would hinder others and be invisibly visible. So that through me,  He could minister to His people; Invisible to the powers that would deny Him, yet completely visible to those who needed Him. 

 

(This is from Jill.  I talked with Susan on Sunday and she shared with me more about this testimony.  Because of the beautiful woman God created her to be, a woman made up of many different races, she is able to look Japanese to the Japanese, Filipino to the Filipinos, Samoan to the Samoans, etc...  She can be overlooked by those looking to crack down on foreigners evangelizing but she is also accepted and listened to by the same people-group because of her uniqueness.  I thought this was such an awesome story of being all things to all people!) 

In allowing God to use my least liked part me, I was able understand the "purpose and hope" God created me for.  In my weakest, He was truly strongest.

In walking this path with Him I've learned that the quirks He's put into us, shouldn't be a source of shame or embarrassment. But these individual quirks are tiles in a mosaic, that when put together collectively show as a Church, an image of God. Thereby making the fully supernatural, tangible to a lost world.

I hope this made sense.

Have a blessed day,.

Susan Mudry-McDaniel

Testimony Tuesday - He loves all of us so much!

I LOVE how our GOD works!!! Did you know that HE cares about seemingly “insignificant” things like winning a basket of “Dog Loot” at a pet expo??? Let me explain…

About three weeks ago…a friend (and neighbor) of mine, who had recently lost her father to an illness, texted me. This friend knows that I am a Christian and a “church-goer”. Up to now, I have never gotten to the point of talking to her about faith. 

Her text went something like this… “Hello Lynn. I was wondering… You go to The River Church right? Would you know if they have a grief group?” I said that I didn’t know, but that I would find out or locate another one for her. I asked if it was for her (knowing she had just lost her dad). She said she had really been struggling with his passing. 

Fast-forward one week… We were texting back and forth and she shared with me that she had confided in her mom, that her faith had really been rattled since losing her dad. She also shared with her mom that it had been years since she has gone to church. This fact really saddened her mom, because my friend has two young kids (ages 10 and 12).

So…I just threw it out there. “Why don’t you join us at church this Sunday at The River Church? We have an amazing pastor, incredible music, and a REALLY AWESOME kid’s church!!!” (Plus their Director of Children’s Ministry is my VERY CRAZY girlfriend Jen!No…I didn’t say that…but sure thought it though!) ;-) 

We went back and forth texting…answering her questions about service times, location, etc. Then she just stopped texting. “Hmmm??? This one is all yours from here GOD” I thought. So off I went to enjoy a Pet Expo that was being held in town that morning. I made my way throughout the expo, putting my name in for EVERY drawing in the building.

I left to head home to celebrate my hubby’s Birthday. I was about a mile away from the expo when I got a call from a gal at the expo…telling me that I had won one of their main “Doggy Loot” basket drawings! I was torn between heading home to my waiting family or going back to the expo.  I had this “strong sense” that I was supposed to go back to the expo to pick up my prize basket. 

I skipped with giddy delight back into the expo…and WHO was standing right there near my basket? It was my girlfriend, whom I was just texting about going to church that Sunday. She said, “I am so sorry…my phone died. Yes! We would love to join you in church this Sunday.” We talked details and I went to retrieve my basket.

As I was walking towards my “winning” basket…I heard the LORD say this: “I had you win this basket so you would come back and run into your friend.” Now THAT is my kinda GOD!!! 

So, in closing my friend and her kiddos came to church with us and she was clearly really moved by the music. She kept commenting on different songs and various voices. As we were walking out of church, she said, “I have NEVER heard music like that in a church before! That was sooo AWESOME!!! Thank you for inviting us…I really enjoyed it!”

So that my story of why GOD cares as much about is children as HE cares about blessing them! I guess our pooch, Bella, ultimately got blessed to by all of the loot in the basket. Like I started saying, “I LOVE how our GOD works!!!”

Feelin' blessed,

Lynn Deary

20/20 Is Possible...With Christ

Do you wear glasses or contacts?  Do you remember what it was like when you first got them? 

I was thinking about this the other day and the spiritual analogy just blew me away.  I got glasses when I was 17.  I was a senior in high school and I remember sitting in the back row of my chemistry class and telling the guy in front of me that the chemistry teacher had horrible handwriting.  How did he expect me to read his scribbles on the blackboard?!  The guy turned around and told me I needed glasses.

Huh?  I needed glasses?  Surely not!  I could see just fine thankyouverymuch.  It was the teacher's handwriting that needed work.  And the Department of Transportation was insane if they thought drivers should be able to read those teeny little street signs!  I mean seriously!  I can't tell you how many times I would drive right by a street I was looking for because I couldn't read the sign until I got up right next to it.  Everyone else was crazy because I could see just fine!

And then I got glasses.

I remember walking out of the store after getting my new frames and lenses.  I was in shock!  You mean we're supposed to be able to see individual leaves on trees and individual blades of grass?!  You're kidding me!  I was astounded at how much I couldn't actually see because I didn't have the correct prescription. So it was actually me the whole time and not everyone else?

Now translate that to our spiritual life.  How often do we "see" a situation and think 'what is wrong with that person? can't they see that what they did/said was mean/irresponsible/unbelievable?' How often do we blame others for things we see/feel just like I blamed my high school chemistry teacher and all of the Department of Transportation?

We each perceive the world differently based on our "prescription" yet we don't go to the only One Who sees the world in perfect 20/20 to help us see correctly. We all think we're 20/20.  We think that we're the only one in the world that has a correct view of things.  Everyone else is blind.  How much heartache, loneliness, hurt and anger are a result of our lenses being different than that of someone else?

Last year I went away on a retreat and spent 5 whole days with God, with my "eye doctor".  He did a spiritual exam and showed me that my prescription wasn't 20/20 but more like 20/400!  Haha!  Wasn't I surprised?!  You mean I'm supposed to be able to see others how Christ does?  You mean I was viewing the world through my own hurt and wounds?  I realized how distorted my view had become simply because I hadn't received the correct prescription.

I'm not claiming my vision is 20/20.  I need constant check ups!  Jesus is the only One Who can realign my vision, show my where I need more tweaking and remind me to see through other's lenses so I can have a better idea of how they perceive the world. 

Have you had your check-up yet?

Testimony Tuesday - God is in the details

These first 2 testimonies are from Tamara Wade.  A sweet woman who loves Jesus and asks Him about every decision and every need in her life.  Thank you Tamara for reminding us that God cares about all the details!

*My tank in my car was almost empty and I asked God to stretch my gas in the fuel tank to get me to where I needed to go and he did.

*One time I wanted to go to a funeral but I was working that day. God worked it out so I could go and support my friend.

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This next testimony is from Kim Beach.  Awesome story about our perspective of life!
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Monday, Monday.  That dreaded day.

We expect bad news to be delivered on Monday, for cars to not work, for children to misbehave.  We refer to other challenging days as, “It’s like a Monday on a Friday!”   Monday has received such a bad rap! 

But let’s reframe it! 

Monday - the day God reminds us that His “mercies are new every morning!” (Lamentations 3:23). and that whatever happened yesterday is over, (2 Cor. 5:17).

This has been a challenging year to say the least.  Hospitals, doctors, travel, school - we’ve had our hands more than full!

As part of a regular follow-up to some medical issues, I recently had a bone scan - DEXA.  My grandfather died from complications related to a genetic form of osteoporosis.  All the women in my family are checked regularly.  At 31 years old, I was told that if I did not loose an incredible amount of weight, my bones would suffer and I would end up crippled.

So began a rough journey.  Weight loss surgery, complications, emergency surgeries, blood transfusions.  At one point, the doctors quit tell my husband he would take me home and he began preparing himself for how to raise our children alone. 

God intervened and I’m still here!

This year’s DEXA scan was delayed because of the attention my daughter needed.  Hip pain sent me to the doctor and then for some tests. 

(NOTE:  It’s a painless test.  Get it!  Take your calcium!  Walk!  Exercise!)

At the end of the test, they technician gave me a printout of the results. 

Now, I’m not a doctor but life circumstances have taught me to read a lot of medical reports.    I deal with them all the time from hospitals, specialists and insurance companies. 

The bottom line of this test:  Osteoporosis at 44 years old.

Great.  I was angry.  I did all they said to do.  I nearly died to prevent, well, death!  I was so mad at God and doctors and science. 

Anger is not a sin - it’s what you do with that anger.  I let myself be mad and then, I moved on.  I knew God was not done with me.  He had not failed me.  I could still trust him.  And though I didn’t “feel” these statements, I “knew” in my heart they were true.  That’s faith, by the way.

Three weeks pass.  Today, I received a phone call from the doctor’s office.  No significant change.  “What?  Are you reading the same report?”  I asked. 

Hmm, seems that DEXA Scans are not my repertoire.  I was reading them, basically, backwards.  My bone strength had improved in some areas and the loss in other areas was not near as great as I had thought! 

WOW!

Whoa. 

Isn’t that just like God to use a bone scan to teach a lesson!  In life, we do not always “read” the circumstances and events as they are in HIS reality.  We see the hurt, the disappointment;  the odds are surmountable, the pain is unbearable.  We just know that God is punishing us or has abandoned us to the tormentors!

In reality, we are reading it wrong!

We are stronger - in HIM - then we imagined.  Our faith - in HIM - has increased beyond our beliefs.

My Monday - good news!  God is Faithful!  God is Trustworthy!  God is writing my story!  And He is much better at reading that I am!

Kimberly Beach

Testimony Tuesday - Serving in Missions

From Joanne Reddell:

For years I have wanted to go on a mission trip to deliver Christmas gifts to orphans.  God knew that there was a strong desire in my heart for this type of mission.  In Fall 2010, an announcement was made at church about a 3 day mission to Palomas Mexico to deliver Christmas gifts at Casa de Amor Orphanage.

WOW!  I was so excited!  I signed up right away and traveled with a team of 22 people Dec 10-12, 2010.  I didn't know what to expect so I just trusted God as I stepped out of my comfort zone.  The trip was amazing!  I fell in love with the children and workers at the orphanage and the people of the small town of Palomas.  It was such a joy to serve all of them and I was surprised by how blessed I was by the love and gratitude our team was shown by everyone we met and ministered to.

I was so impacted by this short term mission that I have returned to serve in Palomas Mexico 13 times since that first trip in December 2010!  A few months after my first trip, I knew that God wanted me to become even more involved with the Mexico ministry.  I began to help with various administrative aspects of the ministry like organizing the trips and recruiting team members for each mission.  I've even been the team leader for a few of the trips.

Through my serving with this ministry, I have been blessed in so many ways.  I've met new people, both here and in Mexico, and I've made new friends.  I've been able to use my God-given organizational and administrative gifts.  My Spanish skills have improved.  It's been such a blessing to minister to families who have so little.  Suffice it to say, it's been a joy to serve in this ministry!

Testimony Tuesday - Full-time Missionary

Let me start with how I was apparently stubborn about being obedient in this.  I felt it was my turn to share my testimony with you all the last week in May... I ignored God, and never emailed it.  I chose to believe lies, such as, what God has been teaching me isn't significant enough, I am only a 26 year old new mom, and have only been married 6 years, nothing I am learning will benefit women at church, I'm new to this and they probably have it all figure out.  You know what happened?  Jill emailed everyone on Tuesday that week, and no one had submitted a testimony to be share.  I distinctly felt like God said... "that was your spot, you were disobedient".  So I planned on doing it for last week (June 2nd) on the Monday night I realized with traveling and everything I never wrote it, we were watching tv, and I thought I should go do it now, then decided I'd do it later.  I forgot.... So here I am writing it now for next week!  I share this piece to encourage you if you feel compelled don't believe the lie!  SHARE!!! :) 

So my recent story of what God has been teaching me, more like walking me through begins in April.  In April I went to a conference, and had no idea what to expect when I arrived there.  I felt in my spirit that it was going to be a life altering type conference for me and this made me hesitant to want to go.  Let me tell you it was and I am glad I went!  However, it was not life altering in anyway I would normally expect at a conference, it wasn't because of one awesome speaker (though there were many), or an overpowering amazing worship service (worship was good too), it was because I got time for the first time in a long time away from my daily responsibilities to focus on Jesus, my first love.  I got time with him like I grew up loving, just me and Him.  It was also because I got to spend uninterupted time with some amazing women, few that I love and call family/accountability group, few that I know a little less closely, and some I met there at the conference.  Relationships with other women that are lifegiving are a powerful powerful tool in our lives. :) 

All weekend I waited for our final call to sell our house when I get back to Durango and moved across the globe.  I just knew that was what was going to happen and was nervous about how I would convince my husband that this was God's plan for our lives now.  Instead what happened blew my away. :)  He called me to stay.  I cried all weekend as my heart broke, and longed to just go. I sobbed as I felt like I was watching childhood dreams finally drift off into the land of not yet. (maybe all those tears were me mourning what I had set my dream on as a kid)  

Instead, God showed me his plan for me right here... which I have felt fully confident in since we bought our house two years ago.  We are not called at this moment to the unreached people on the other side of the globe right now.  God has called us here right now... here to "Trust in The Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.  Delight yourself (myself) in The Lord; and He will give you (me) the desires of your (my) heart." Psalm 37:3-6  So at the end of the weekend, I decided to go talk to this missionary lady I had wanted to avoid all weekend because it hurt to think of where I could be right now, and how God was denying me my ministry.... I know crazy right? 

I shared my story with her, and we prayed.  She spoke one thing over me that has resonated with me ever since the conference.  That was that I was full time. I have always wanted to be a full time missionary, my heart has been anywhere in the world.  Doing what I am doing right now, being a mom, a fourth grade teacher, a Sunday school teacher, a wife, and opening up my home as a refuge, a safe place for people to be who they are, and rest.  This matters.  I came home with a new purpose and passion to keeping house, to caring for Amirah, to looking for ways to care for others.  This, where I am at, is my ministry.  This is God's plan for me.  This is His best for me right now.  How blessed am I, that His plan for me is serving Him by opening my home to others, serving in my church, teaching fourth grade and taking care of my family! 

Ok lastly, I know that sounded like the end... but I have just a little more to share.  With opening up my home making it a safe place.  I am reading Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist.  It is great.  God is teaching me more about the importance of opening up my home and inviting people to share meals with my family through this book.  What an exciting season! :)  Yes, I am young, yes, I am a new mom, and yes I haven't been married for even a decade yet, and God is willing to use me!  I am enough for Him, He loves my willing heart, and the most important reminder I have clung to these last few months is that He is good, and He is trustworthy.  Even when I don't feel like He is, even when I don't feel I can trust Him, even when I feel like He has taken dreams I have away from me.  He hasn't his plan is better and He is good, and He is trustworthy.  Hope this is encouraging for you. :) 

Kayle Hardrick 

Testimony Tuesday - Relationships

This is a beautiful testimony from a woman who was willing to just allow the Holy Spirit minister to her in her relationship with her husband.  I'm so grateful that she was willing to share this with us all, as I believe each of us struggle very similarly, if not with our husband, then with many other different relationships.  Grace is a beautiful thing! 

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My journal entry on Monday, April 7
"Lord, I feel better about my husband today.  I still would like to see him put positive, healthy effort into our current situation.  Speak to me now Lord and tell me what You want me to do."

His response:
"My assignment for you hasn't changed.  I continue to ask you to treat your husband with love, respect & kindness in spite of how he treats you or speaks to you.  Forgive him continually!  Every tone, word, expression, disrespectful behavior & interaction.  Overlook his flaws/faults in forgiveness, don't ignore them in frustration.  By overlooking them, you are extending grace to him and I want you to do that more and more.

Jill's talk on Saturday was for you.  Grace is a wonderful, powerful thing and I want you to walk in grace, live in grace, be present in grace more and more.  My assignments to you can be summed up in one word - GRACE!  I know every detail of your marriage and every desire of your heart for your husband and marriage.  I know all of it!  I am working overtime in all of it.

I want you to practice grace.  I want it to become part of your daily life.  I want you to learn to walk in grace in every area of your life.  I know your struggles & I know that walking in grace is a big thing.  Remember that I am always with you to help you.  Look to My Holy Spirit for daily, hourly help, strength, courage.  We are all for you and We will never let you down.

Now is the time for you to live and walk in grace.  I know you've been struggling for years with relationships and inner struggles.  Walking in grace will help with all those lifelong struggles.  Trust Me.  Remember often Dt. 31:8 'The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  Do not be discouraged.  Do not be afraid.'  Remind yourself of this as often as you need to.

I love you more than you can comprehend.  I have so many wonderful plans for you.  But first you must deal with this issue of grace.  Trust Me in all of this.  I will not disappoint you.  I will lift you up and encourage you.  I will bring about your desire to be transformed.  I love that you are seeking Me in 2014.  Keep drawing near to Me and I will bless you in ways you never imagined.  I love you - you are My precious daughter!"

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After receiving this from the Lord, I was crying and confessed/repented to the Lord for some of my recent behavior and attitudes.  I then felt that God was leading me to ask for my husband's forgiveness, which I did.  And, needless to say, after seeking his forgiveness, I was filled with peace.